Hot Chocolate of the Day: Venchi's Hot Chocolate with Milk

I am back in California again! Yes! I enjoyed Venchi's Hot Chocolate with Milk from Italy before my departure to the golden state. However, I only had time to send out a quick tweet before my travels began.

One of the benefits of owning a store with an array of delicious hot chocolates is being able to sample them all. The Venchi hot chocolates are seasonal and, of course to non-hot chocolate aficionados, we are out of season. Clearly, this is nonsense! Nevertheless, the Venchi Hot Chocolate with Milk is made of 22% cacao and has a rich brown color. Unlike the traditional milk hot chocolates served here in the US, the deep color clearly shows the variance in what Americas and Europeans think is milk hot chocolate.

After the first sip, you can clearly tell this is not your typical milk hot chocolate. With a hint of sweetness, this hot chocolate would be appreciated by those that enjoy 70% or more chocolate beverages.

Would I indulge in this milk hot chocolate again? Surely! Make sure you do not eat something sweet simultaneously. A sweet or overly sweet item will cancel out the simple flavor of this hot chocolate.

Craving Chocolate Custard

With a craving for chocolate custard, I pulled out Venchi's cacao due vecchi (cacao powder) from Italy and Bird's Custard Powder from the pantry. I added a few teaspoons of cacao powder to the Bird's Custard Powder and proceeded to follow their directions.

I hope it tastes good!

Not just for hot cocoa anymore

Marshmallows are derived from an extract taken from the Altaea officinalis plant. This extract is now being used in numerous organic hair conditioners and face creams for their moisturizing characteristics.

Land O Lakes Cocoa Voluntary Recall

Land O Lakes International Drinking Cocoa “Madagascar Vanilla” in 12 ½-ounce foil bags with a “Best By 09/04/10” or “Best By 11/05/10” date are being recalled by Precision Foods Inc. of St. Louis. This single product voluntary recall is due to a potential salmonella contamination in the cocoa products. Precision Foods Inc. was notified by two of its suppliers, AMFOTEK and Plainview Milk Products Co-op, regarding Plainview’s Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk recall which is used to make the drinking cocoa.

No reported illnesses or salmonella has been found in the cocoa product. However, Precision Foods Inc. has decided to suspend production and distribution of the product while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues their investigation.

Those that purchased this cocoa are asked to return the identified packets to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information call (877) 585-2365 or visit FDA.gov for more information.

Product: Land O Lakes International Drinking Cocoa “Madagascar Vanilla”
UPC: 8 78326 00071 0
Best Due Dates: “Best By 09/04/10” or “Best By 11/05/10”
Size: 12 ½ ounce foil bags

Of course it's hot!

The National Confectioners Association's (NCA) three-day All Candy Expo last month focused on the one sure fire way to beat a recession: SWEETS!

Noted as number three on the "top 10 chocolate trends" presented by Joan Steuer, president of Chocolate Marketing LLC is Hot Chocolate. My ultimate favorite drink received a third place position and was identified by Ms. Steuer as "Hot chocolate is still hot" and "with 'brewed' being the latest hot-beverage fad".

Aztec Hot Chocolate at MarieBelle's

Take tour of MarieBelle in New York with the founder Maribel Liberman:

Chocolate Tips with Maribel Lieberman